Today we’d like to introduce you to Vivian Lark.
Hi Vivian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am originally from Minnesota and attended college in Chicago for vocal performance. After college, family life was my focus, raising my 4 children and also homeschooling before moving to Rochester from Minneapolis in 2017.
I was approached on the street in Rochester and asked if I would be willing to teach piano lessons to students on the spectrum. I agreed, and that started my teaching business which has continued to this day. I teach in Rochester and Zumbrota, and my students include normal cognitive learners as well as students with autism.
Throughout my experience teaching I had noticed that generally classical music and male classical composers make up about 90 percent of songs introduced to beginning students. Very little mention of other genres in piano books existed. I felt the need for a variety of genres of music to be mentioned such as blues, jazz, ragtime and reggae, so I wrote a grant to write a multicultural piano instruction book. I was awarded a Creative Individuals Grant by the state of Minnesota in 2024.
I finished the book in March of 2025, with the help of my editor, Virginia Cooper. The book is for beginning students age 12 to adult.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Many of the piano instruction books were first printed in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Since then, many more songs are now copyright free. For a year I researched what songs are now available, and which musicians I would like to feature. There are so many musicians and educators who made great strides that have contributed to how music has evolved. Music history is World history!
Putting together the songs along with pictures was a challenge as I had no previous experience writing a book or creating graphics. I did have some help from some talented local artists, who contributed original illustrations. The artists include: Sarah Parker, Raymond Woods, Heather Wright, Jim Rownd, Kai & Tammy Quinn, Caden Dickinson, Emily Meyers, and Riah Parker.
My book is titled: “The Lark Piano Method”.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I teach piano, voice and ukulele. I also have a non-profit organization, Music Lessons for All, that sponsors students for lessons.
I am happy to have finished my first book and myself and my editor, Virginia Cooper, are having a book release party at Forager in Rochester on Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 1-4 pm. The event is free and open to the public. The art from the book will be displayed in the Barrel room for one week following the release party, and there will be books on hand to purchase.
Copies are available through a square link on The Lark Piano Method Facebook page or Release Party description as well as by emailing Vivian at [email protected].
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Conversations with other artists in my community really helped me complete this project. Thank you Lee Green of Greenhouse Graphix for setting up the frames for the pages! There are so many choices for software, promotion, etc,, that it can be overwhelming.
Pricing:
- 24.00 The Lark Piano Method Book
Contact Info:
